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SLC Shred Fest hypes winter sports enthusiasts at preseason event

Pixie and the Partygrass Boys opened at SLC Shred Fest on Nov. 5. SLC Shred Fest was a preseason festival that took place at Liberty Park with live bands, vendors, lumberjack competitions and rail jams. Photo by Rachel Terran.

Uniting two subcultures that both share a pride and passion for winter sports, SLC Shred Fest brought together members of the Salt Lake City ski and snowboard communities to celebrate the upcoming winter season.

SLC Shred Fest was a preseason festival that took place at Liberty Park on Nov. 5 from 2 to 11 p.m. with live bands, vendors, lumberjack competitions and rail jams.

Alex Mager, a senior studying film production and management, watches volunteers set up for the rail jam at SLC Shred Fest. Mager is a videographer and filmed SLC Shred Fest, which took place Nov. 5. Photo by Rachel Terran.

ZoëZeerip, a junior at Westminster College majoring in environmental studies, worked as the sustainability intern at SLC Shred Fest. Zeerip said there are clearly defined subcultures between ski and snowboard culture.

“In Salt Lake City, there is kind of a divide between skiers and snowboarders and endless competition between the two, so this event was really meant to just be a season hype where skiers and snowboarders come together over a season they both love,” Zeerip said.

Annie Merrill, a junior biology major, said a unique resort pride also comes with ski culture.

“Alta has some of the craziest die hard skiers who know how to have a wicked time,” Merrill said. “Brighton is full of east coast shredders who know how to enjoy a season no matter what the conditions and Snowbird has a unique group of big mountain riders who are constantly finding new ways to launch monstrous cliffs.”

Nils Mindnich, a snowboard enthusiast and student at Salt Lake Community College, said Shred Fest made him feel excited to live in Utah.

“It’s really awesome that an event like Shred Fest came to SLC and to see that many people who share the same passion,” Mindnich said. “The best part of Shred Fest was watching my old roommate’s band Hot Vodka rip and see how many people came out to support the event.”

Rosanise Odell, a junior environmental science major, also attended Shred Fest. Odell is from Salt Lake City and got her pass to Alta this year—a resort for skiers only.

“One of the five questions everyone asks at first-year orientation is ‘Where are you getting your ski pass?’” Odell said. “So the winter season is definitely an important part of Westminster. I think there were a lot of Westminster people at Shred Fest because we are all so excited about ski season and want to celebrate it.”